flyingfireman

Paul is very good at eloquently evoking the grandeur of the human spirit. As a veteran myself, albeit one who fortunately never had to experience direct combat, I am continually amazed at the resilience of the greatest generation. They not only saved the world from anarchy and chaos, but returned to build the flourishing democracy that is still the envy of most of the world.

In a few days I will lead a formation of 5 warbirds as a small token of my heartfelt appreciation of all veterans. Veterans get one day of appreciation but we experience their legacy every day.

Raf

“Airports are repositories of innumerable memories of flights to faraway places on grandiose missions or simply around the pattern on a first solo.”

Love it!

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Raf

Your script has invigorated my octogenarian soul. Thanks, Paul Berge.

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ailerona

Thank you, Raf

jpundzak

I swear, the more he writes the more I’m convinced that the name Berge ranks right up with with the likes of Gann, Bach, and Gordon Baxter. Just to name a few.

davebaker123

Americans need to show some appreciation to our soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought WWII. They were the “Greatest Generation”, who not only endured the ravages of the Great Depression, they were thrust into a shooting war of unprecedented destruction and massive casualties after Pearl Harbor; many of them were in their teens. My uncle was parachuted onto France from a C-47 on D-Day, and my other uncle flew aboard PBY-5s as a radioman. I vividly remember the Army “AA” embroidered dress uniform stored in our garage, replete with “Fruit Salad” earned by one of our brave soldiers. This December 7th, Americans should render a salute to those courageous troops who sacrificed so much for our freedoms.

Rich_R

My Dad survived a walking tour of northern Italy and both parents toughed out the Depression…long before Nike said “Just Do It” that generation did, not for glory but because someone had to. Many viewed that most everyone had a story, they didn’t need to embarrass those that didn’t, and that the heroes were the ones who didn’t return. A favorite generational story was shared by a friend who was a jumpmaster for the D-Day 50th, when the subject of # of jumps came up, the WWII vet was impressed by the 1000’s of jumps, my friend was more impressed by the WWII vet’s handfull…all combat jumps.

Let us remember that the glory of warbird flying was created by those who animated these aircraft when the odds were a helluva lot longer than an occasional sunny day flight in front of an unarmed crowd.

coyle.schwab

A wonderful story, told as only Paul Berge can. Thank you, Paul.

tchath

A very good story, and so well written; I think I prefer Paul’s writing when he’s being earnest, and not trying too hard to be funny.

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gliders

Thanks for another great article, Paul. It’s true, the people around us at the airport have some amazing life experiences, worthy of recording. I wish I had recorded more from my two aviation mentors. I heard plenty of stories, but I’m certain these were a fraction of the total. I’ll keep your article in mind, as a nudge to pay attention to, and maybe record, what I’m hearing from people like John Barcus. We owe it to the future.

bobdc6

Great story. I too am half deaf from naval guns, screaming jet engines (and 3350’s), redlining the 727 below 10,000, and of course, rock and roll, but never combat like these WW2 heroes.
Thanks for the story.

mattscrane

I was about to write something like: “Paul should be writing books!” … and then a little voice inside me told me to go see if he didn’t already. Sure enough! I’ll be buying at least one of his books! I don’t often see such eloquent, humorous, yet uncluttered prose. Bravo!

gnndmt

Aver bombardato una Città come Roma uccidendo civili inermi non mi
sembra degno di merito.

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bserra

Have’nt You Italians, during WWIi, bombarded foreign cities and caused the deaths of civilians?

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Daniel_O

Nah, like their fellow German collaborators, they were all clock makers or vintners who knew “nothing of the war”. At least, that is what the Germans told me both times when I went back to claim my parents’ confiscated belongings which was seized while they were fleeing the country and again when I was stationed there.

Raf

La guerra è un inferno.

vayuwings

Both Paul B’s give us the best of the best in aviation writing in my view, and both seem to have a bent toward the Second WW that hopefully will always be available for easy access for future historical reference.

But life moves on, and like my particular interest being more so with the American Civil War, that war and I, II, Korea, Vietnam, etc. are all becoming just historical events to the ever-appearing, history/civics detached newer generations. I am sympathetic with Dave B’s wish for more recognition for all of the men, women and families who served from America with Great Britain in 1945, but I would also like to see more interest from Americans to study a similar and rather important fight for freedom when we fought against Great Britain in 1775.

Looking around as I do from time to time, I don’t see it happening. Maybe it’s for the best, I can’t say.

Thanks for another great essay, Paul, from this septuagenarian still…

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Raf

Both could very well be candidates for Aviation Journalism Awards.

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Douglas_C

The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to
bomb everyone else, and nobody was going to bomb them.

• Sir Arthur Harris

rpstrong

“I think I prefer Paul’s writing when he’s being earnest,…”

You don’t think you’re Gann too far?

jimhanson

Second Raf’s nomination!

I met Bertorelli in person once, and commented that I liked his “insouciant” comments. His reply–"Back where I come from, that would be called “smartass!” That’s true–but sometimes emphasizing the obvious is a way to make your point.

Berge, by contrast, tells a story SO WELL–and does indeed deserve to be placed in the same catagory of Gann, Bach, and Baxter.

AvWeb does us all a favor by allowing us to savor BOTH!

(Back to the subject of this article–it is indeed special that this is published on VETERAN’S DAY-------“Hand, SALUTE!”)